How does Judges 20:35 connect with God's promises in Deuteronomy 20:4? Quick Look at the Two Verses • Deuteronomy 20:4 – “For the LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” • Judges 20:35 – “The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords.” The Promise in Deuteronomy 20:4 • God pledges His personal presence in battle—He “goes with you.” • He fights on Israel’s behalf, not merely beside them. • The outcome He guarantees is “victory” (literally “salvation,” yāšaʿ), stressing deliverance and triumph. • The promise is covenant-based; Israel’s obedience and reliance on the Lord are assumed (cf. Deuteronomy 20:2–3; 28:1-2). A Promise Kept in Judges 20:35 • The narrator credits the outcome directly to the LORD: “The LORD defeated Benjamin,” underscoring divine agency over human effort. • The setting is a civil conflict where Israel had twice been repelled (Judges 20:21, 25). After fasting, praying, and seeking guidance, God assures them of success (20:28). Verse 35 records that assurance realized. • The scale of victory—25,100 warriors—visibly displays the Lord’s power to “give…victory,” echoing Deuteronomy 20:4 word-for-word in concept. Key Connections • Promise → Performance: Deuteronomy 20:4 states what God will do; Judges 20:35 shows Him doing it. • Same Warrior-God: “The LORD…goes with you” (Deut) parallels “The LORD defeated” (Judg); His presence is both pledged and proven. • Victory as Gift: Israel fights, yet Scripture attributes success to God (cf. Psalm 44:3; 1 Samuel 17:47). • Covenant Context: Israel’s consultation of the priest and ark (Judges 20:26-28) reflects dependence that matches the faith posture Deuteronomy expects. • Encouragement for Future Battles: This fulfillment would remind later generations that God’s earlier word stands firm (Joshua 23:10; 2 Chronicles 20:15). What We Learn About God’s Character • He is faithful—He does what He promises (Numbers 23:19). • He is sovereign—outcomes belong to Him, whether against foreign nations (Exodus 14:14) or internal sin (Judges 20). • He is present—never distant from the struggles of His people (Isaiah 41:10). • He is just—using victory to purge evil and preserve covenant purity (Deuteronomy 13:12-18; Judges 20:12-13). Living the Principle Today • Trust God’s promises as literally dependable; He has a proven track record. • Seek His guidance before acting, as Israel finally did (Judges 20:26-28; Proverbs 3:5-6). • Remember that success in any spiritual battle is ultimately the Lord’s doing (Ephesians 6:10-13). • Let past fulfillments fuel present faith—what He said, He still does (Hebrews 13:8). |
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